Future Soldiers visit Fort Eustis

U.S. Army Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, addresses a group Delayed Entry Program members at TRADOC headquarters at Fort Eustis, Va., May, 30, 2013. Cone talked to the future Soldiers about his career...

Charles Crawford, a Delayed Entry Program member from Newport News, Va., listens as U.S. Army Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, answers questions from other future Soldiers about the Army and current...

U.S. Army Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, addresses a group Delayed Entry Program members at TRADOC headquarters at Fort Eustis, Va., May, 30, 2013. Cone talked to the future Soldiers about his career...

Charles Crawford, a Delayed Entry Program member from Newport News, Va., listens as U.S. Army Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, answers questions from other future Soldiers about the Army and current...

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FORT EUSTIS, VA. -- More than 50 future Soldiers from the Hampton Roads area visited Fort Eustis May 30 to interact with Army leadership, gleaning a better understanding of the careers they will soon begin.

U.S. Army Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, and Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel A. Dailey, TRADOC command sergeant major, spoke with the Delayed Entry Program members in a town hall-style forum.

Topics discussed included what enlistees can look forward to at Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training, the future of the Army, and current events. Following the meeting, the group visited 3rd Port to view the 7th Sustainment Brigade's fleet of vessels.

During the visit, future Soldiers were able to ask the TRADOC leadership duo questions, many of which questions focused on BCT, and how to advance in the Army.

Cone and Dailey stressed how the Army provides comprehensive training to prepare its Soldiers for the challenges they'll face, and while training may be tough, it will only make them stronger Soldiers.

"I want to thank you for raising your right hand and joining our family," Cone said to the group. "We have the finest Soldiers in the world."

In attendance was 24 year-old Charles Crawford, a Newport News, Va., native, who leaves for BCT June 25.

"It was amazing being able to interact and ask questions of someone that high in rank," Crawford said. "I think that this has defiantly definitely helped me prepare for basic training and my Army career."